Re: Wow best purchase so far !!
Lot of very missed informed information here. Smart tabs are not made for boats that are just under powered or for a specific propped motor. The trim tabs will increase performance on almost all stern drive/outboard boats.These tabs and actuators are sized to your boat size and (weight). The trim tabs are automatically adjusted downward while getting you on a plane, once on a plane, the actuators release pressure to the other side of the gas actuator relaxing the trim tab while on plane so to not cause drag.
Every boat that has a motor in the stern, has an inherant balance issue from the get go. The motor in the back raises the bow to far out of the water, thus creating bad performance. Even with boats with powerful motors, the tabs will decrease the time to get on plane by atleast half. The position your boat is in while planing is what matters, when you raise the stern, the bow is pushed downward an equal distance that the stern is lifted. Nauticus purposely sized thes tabs by weight so that your particular boat doesn't get to much lift or not enough. Thats why they are sized by weight of your boat.
For example, if I were to mount the trim tabs on my boat that were sized to an 8000 pound boat onto a 18 ft bow rider that only weighed 2000 pounds, my trim tabs would surely push the bow down so far that it would probably even be dangerous. But if I were to get the right sized tabs/actuators for that particular 18 ft 2000 pound boat, the only thing I would have to do is decide which adjustment position was best for my all around performance after running her a little with the tabs. There is usually 3 or 4 possitions to give you a little more or less lift of the stern. Adjust them to much lift and you will plow the bow, adjust them properly and you will still have a bow up attitude but not so much as to effect performance.
I have made approximately $12000.00 in upgrades to my boat in the last 2 years. I can say without question, these $125.00 smart tabs was the smartest thing that I installed and the best upgrade.
The boat market that they target is 26 ft and under, mine is at the threshold and they perform flawlessly. I have seen major gains in performance, to include but not limited to everything Nauticus has claimed. I have better stabilty at all speeds. Get on a plane in half the time with half the speed. Stay on plane at much lower speed. Get more speed per rmp. Increased my wot speed by 5 mph. Can turn my boat much tighter without slowing down and without cavitation. All these things relates to better fuel effecientcy!
The thing that seperates electric or hydraulic tabs from smart tabs is that smart tabs adjust themselves all the time. They are cheap to buy and very easy to install. They do not require a place for helm controls, wiring, pumps, etc. They will adjust more in one minute of running than most other tabs would be adjusted in one day. Smart tabs are good for boats that make alot of go and stop running, ie, the run about or smaller boats 26 ft and under.
The larger boats are fine with helm controlled tabs because you don't have to change your tab setting that often on them because they are not effected as dramatically as smaller boats are in various sea conditions or as quikly. Smaller boats are great with smart tabs because you don't have to worry about controlling the tabs while at high speeds. If you were to over tab or under tab at the wrong time on a small boat, it will have more drastic effects than on a larger vessel. Like nauticus says, could even be dangerous.
You won't find me ever bashing other tab companies, because I think any boat with tabs will out perform the same boat without tabs.
I am going on two years with these on my boat, and I can say the fuel savings alone since I have had them installed would sell me on them. Never mind all the other performance gains. Thanks Nauticus for inventing a great product and making them affordable for us little guys.
Another note, they are a great company to deal with. Have questions, you can email them or call and usually will have your answer in one day. If you have a transom that isn't the normal, send them a pic and they will set you up with the right tabs. I would recommend these tabs to anyone.
I have heard that some inlets can be problematic with tabs down, or a following sea, or backing up. I have never had the issue backing up and also beached my tabs are fine. But I could see if you were in a following sea, you would want your tabs up. For my application, these issues will probably never be addressed because I run on a river and lakes. I think the pros far outway the cons and the price is right for us guys with smaller boats.
By the way, if you look on some of the biggest bass boat sites on the net, many of them are also running these tabs, again, the tabs will be relaxed and not cause drag but will help stability while at wot. You can still adjust your motor trim as needed for bow up after your on plane. These tabs were specifically made for faster smaller boats, thats where they shine! Try adjusting hydraulic tabs or electric tabs why pulling a skier, driving the boat and drinking a beer!
People here have said that the helm controlled trim tabs are ideal! Like everything, they have there up side and they have there down side. Helm control tabs are great for larger boats that don't change direction or speed as much as a smaller boat. They are good if you want to adjust side to side weight distribution. They are good if you have a need to fully retract them.
Now, where they aren't so good is, you can over adjust them, under adjust them. They cost alot to buy. They require you to have room for helm controls. They require you to operate them via helm controls They require you to have room for and install hydraulic pumps and wiring. More parts to break at a higher cost to replace them. Though one of the helm controlled companies has a automatic controll, most can not change to the changing water conditions as fast as nauticus tabs. Helm controlled tabs operated by the captain, how much effiecientcy do you think you loose by having them helm controlled. So I ask, do the pros outweight the cons? I don't think so. Not for my little boat.
The second I hit the throttle, my nauticus tabs go to work, until I stop. All I have to do is drive! These tabs will adjust more to the changing conditions in one minute than most people adjust there helm controlled tabs in one day. The tabs simply are working all the time, positioned to give your boat the best performance possible in all different types of conditions and speed. And improving fuel efficeintcy all the time by placing your boat at the best running position all the time.
